Reality vs. TV: '24'

Photo/FOX Illustration/Sean Cooley

Real: The clock ticks down in real time as each season shows a day in the life of super-spy Jack Bauer. Gratuitous torture scenes might even be on the light side compared to Guantanamo Bay. Unreal: Jack is a professional terror tracker, but was unaware his father and brother sold nerve gas to Russian terrorists. A complete disregard for the geography and traffic congestion, traveling across Los Angeles in minutes flat. Verdict: 2/5 Overly patriotic DVD box sets

Real: The clock ticks down in real time as each season shows a day in the life of super-spy Jack Bauer. Gratuitous torture scenes might even be on the light side compared to Guantanamo Bay. Unreal: Jack is a professional terror tracker, but was unaware his father and brother sold nerve gas to Russian terrorists. A complete disregard for the geography and traffic congestion, traveling across Los Angeles in minutes flat. Verdict: 2/5 Overly patriotic DVD box sets (Photo/FOX Illustration/Sean Cooley)

Real: The clock ticks down in real time as each season shows a day in the life of super-spy Jack Bauer. Gratuitous torture scenes might even be on the light side compared to Guantanamo Bay. Unreal: Jack is a professional terror tracker, but was unaware his father and brother sold nerve gas to Russian terrorists. A complete disregard for the geography and traffic congestion, traveling across Los Angeles in minutes flat. Verdict: 2/5 Overly patriotic DVD box sets